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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
WITH an attractive display of giant apples, watermelon and a huge hoarding with plates carrying different messages, the 8th Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) opened at the Hotel Park on Wednesday.
Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority and supported by Katara Hospitality, the opening ceremony of the 11-day festival featured a performance by German band Niederbayerischer Musikantenstammtisch in view of the ongoing Qatar-Germany Year of Culture, stilt walkers, live cooking theatre and display of a wide range of foods representing different cultures.
The opening ceremony was attended by QTA officials, ambassadors and other dignitaries.
The festival features 67 restaurants in the Main Zone, 16 in Hotel Zone, six in Healthy Zone and nine in Cultural Zone. Besides, it features trucks and trolleys presented by 24 restaurants throughout the park.
The festival offers a variety of signature dining experiences including 'Dinner in the Sky', 'Garden Picnics' and 'High-Tea/Fine Dining.' The 'Dinner in the Sky' to be held 50 metres above the ground is being offered by Four Seasons Hotel and the 'Fine Dining' by Grand Sheraton Hotel.
During the opening, cushions were placed inside the garden to make visitors, especially families with children, feel comfortable. The Cooking Theatre was also one of the major attractions of the festival.
Speaking at the event, QTA Director of Festivals and Tourism events, Mashal Shahbik, said:"The QIFF Cooking Theatre is a long-standing feature of the festival and we are excited to bring it back this year with some renowned chefs featuring in it. The chefs bring a variety of cuisines catering to tastes of all kinds and remarkable skills to the festival offering connoisseurs a chance to learn about the culinary art."
Shahbik added,"This year, we will be hosting Andy Bates and Graham Elliot as international celebrity chefs."
The Cooking Theatre also features celebrity chefs from neighbouring countries such as Fawaz al Omaim from Kuwait and Queen of the Arabian Kitchen Manal al Alem. Adding a dash of oriental spice, Indian celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will appear at the theatre.
Festival organisers have partnered with Uber to provide QIFF-goers with affordable options to reach the Hotel Park.
